TROY — More than half of the city's 125 police officers turned out to see Anthony Magnetto sworn in Friday afternoon as the city's first police commissioner in a decade.

City Council chambers were packed as Mayor Lou Rosamilia talked about respecting Magnetto, whom he named to supervise the police department, and Chief John Tedesco.

"Respect for a man who has dedicated his life to the city of Troy, his family and the residents he's protected over the years," Rosamilia said.

When Magnetto took the oath of office, he was greeted by dozens of saluting officers in their dress uniforms and applause. Tedesco was absent, attending a training session at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va.

"I am honored and thoroughly humbled to stand here today as police commissioner," said Magnetto, the son of a police officer and the father of police officers.

Magnetto's return to the force since he retired about 18 months ago as assistant police chief, marks a turning point in control of the department that saw its first murder of the year Monday amid increasing worries about safety on local streets.

The new commissioner is a popular figure with rank-and-file officers. Magnetto said he would take immediate steps to improve morale throughout the department and to restore texting capabilities to the department's cellphones, which had been turned off.

"I firmly believe today will be remembered as one of the most important days of my administration," said Rosamilia, a Democrat.

The remarks were a strong reply to criticism at a council meeting by Charlene Tedesco, the chief's wife, about the lack of respect showed her husband and his administration of the department.

"This isn't about the PBA. This is about the guys on the street," said Fitzgerald, whose union backed the Democrats in the 2011 city elections.

Tedesco, a Republican, was appointed chief by former Mayor Harry Tutunjian, a Republican. Magnetto, an independent voter, was part of Rosamilia's Public Safety Transition Team that recommended appointing a police commissioner. Magnetto previously said he was not seeking the post.

Looking at the turnout and the line of officers waiting to congratulate Magnetto, Democratic City Chairman Jack McCann, a former city police officer, said, "I think this says it all."

Placing Magnetto in charge of the department will restore confidence among officers that the budget is not the only concern, Nichols said.

"If your only concern is keeping overtime down, you're paying in public safety," Nichols said about Tedesco's reducing overtime. She said overtime has to be properly managed.

"You've got to forget about the past look toward the future," Democratic Councilman Gary Galuski said about putting political differences aside.

Magnetto returns to police headquarters Monday for a staff meeting with Tedesco and the rest of the command officers. Magnetto will address the patrol officers at roll call Monday morning.